‘Pothole Blitz’ begins in Louisville

March 29, 2017

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Citizens can report potholes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 29, 2017) — Louisville today launched the 2017 edition of the “Pothole Blitz” conducted annually by Metro Public Works. During the blitz, to recover from damage caused by the multiple freeze/thaw cycles of winter, Public Works crews go through the city’s streets in a grid pattern patching potholes until all roads are covered.

Potholes peaked at 171,000 in 2015 following years of deferred road maintenance and a rough winter, but are expected to total less than 50,000 this year.

Mayor Greg Fischer and Louisville Metro Council boosted spending on paving from $2.8 million in 2014 to $20.9 million in 2016. As a result, the number of miles paved increased from 26 in 2014 to 131 in 2016. Newly repaved roads are less susceptible to the formation of potholes.

Public Works is adding $250,000 worth of new equipment that will help patch potholes faster and more effectively. For instance, vibrating walk-behind plate compactors are replacing handheld compactors to do a better job of pressing newly laid asphalt into place.

Citizens can report potholes to MetroCall through Twitter using the hashtag 502pothole, at the city website, Louisvilleky.govor by calling 311 or 574-5000.

Public Works patches potholes on Metro Government maintained roads. Potholes on interstate highways should be reported to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet at 1-877-For-KYTC (367-5982).